Piggable plate heat exchanger assembly

ABSTRACT

Piggable plate heat exchanger assemblies enable piggable cleaning of interior surfaces thereof. Piggable plate heat exchanger assemblies include an inner plate member and first and second channel forming members with adjacently positioned first and second channel forming extension plates to enclose the inner plate member to form first and second channels for first and second fluid flow. Other piggable plate heat exchanger assemblies include plate members and first and second end members in conjunction with corresponding plate members positioned at first and second ends of corresponding plate members to form first and bypass channels to flow first and second fluids. Still other piggable plate heat exchangers include a plurality of plate members and a plurality of end members forming in conjunction with the plate members a first channel and a second channel in an interweaving relation for flow of a first fluid substantially normal to flow of a second fluid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to heat exchangers, and more particularly to a heat exchanger assembly configured to permit piggable cleaning of interior surfaces of the heat exchanger assembly.

2. Description of the Related Art

Heat exchangers are generally ubiquitous industrial units that are widely used in many industries, including the oil refining industry, petrochemical industry, and water desalination, among other things. In conventional heat exchanger applications, heat is transferred from one fluid to another fluid through a common surface. One common occurring problem with heat exchangers during the heat transfer process is typically scaling and biofouling can develop within the inner surfaces of the heat exchanger. Notably, the biofouling and scaling can reduce the heat exchanger's efficiency, as well as can increase pressure loss within the heat exchanger. Further, buildup of scaling and biofouling in the heat exchanger can eventually lead to blockage of fluid passageways. The inability to effectively clean the inner surfaces of the heat exchanger, once the biofouling and scaling occur, is a relatively common problem in heat exchangers.

Thus, it is desirable to provide a piggable plate heat exchanger that provides surfaces and fluid paths amenable to and facilitating ease of cleaning of the heat exchanger and addresses the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of a piggable plate heat exchanger assembly include an inner plate member, at least one first channel forming member having a plurality of adjacently positioned first channel forming extension plates, and at least one second channel forming member having a plurality of adjacently positioned second channel forming extension plates. The plurality of the first channel forming extension plates are respectively positioned in alternating opposing relation to the plurality of second channel forming extension plates to enclose the inner plate member to form a first channel to flow a first fluid and a second channel to flow a second fluid in the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly. The first and second fluids can flow in the same direction or in opposite directions, and the plates form heat exchange surfaces. The channels also define pathways for a cleaning pig.

Also, other embodiments of a piggable plate heat exchanger assembly include a plurality of plate members and a plurality of first end members respectively positioned in conjunction with corresponding plate members at first ends of corresponding plate members and at second ends of corresponding plate members to form a first channel in the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly including the plurality of plate members and the plurality of first end members to flow a first fluid. A plurality of second end members are respectively positioned in conjunction with corresponding plate members at the first ends of corresponding plate members and at the second ends of corresponding plate members to form a plurality of second bypass channels in the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly including the plurality of plate members and the plurality of second end members to flow a second fluid.

Further embodiments of a piggable plate heat exchanger assembly include a plurality of plate members, the plurality of plate members forming a portion of a first channel to flow a first fluid and a portion of a second channel to flow a second fluid. A plurality of first end members are respectively positioned in conjunction with corresponding plate members at ends of corresponding plate members and have a plurality of first channel first ends and a plurality of second channel first ends, the first channel first ends forming a portion of the first channel and the second channel first ends forming a portion of the second channel. A plurality of second end members are respectively positioned at ends of corresponding plate members in spaced relation within corresponding first channel first ends and form a portion of the first channel and a portion of the second channel. A plurality of third end members are respectively positioned in conjunction with corresponding plate members at ends of corresponding plate members and have a plurality of second channel second ends and a plurality of first channel second ends. The second channel second ends form a portion of the second channel and the first channel second ends form a portion of the first channel. Further, a plurality of fourth end members are respectively positioned at ends of corresponding plate members in spaced relation within corresponding second channel second ends and form a portion of the second channel and a portion of the first channel.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an environmental, perspective view of an embodiment of a piggable plate heat exchanger assembly having generally curved shaped end portions according to the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a schematic, perspective view of a portion of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly of FIG. 1A illustrating guide/power rails for a pig cleaning device in conjunction with the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly of FIG. 1, according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an environmental, perspective view of an embodiment of a piggable plate heat exchanger assembly having generally flat plate end portions, according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an environmental, perspective view of an embodiment of a piggable plate heat exchanger assembly having a bypass fluid channel, according to the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a bottom view of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly of FIG. 4, according to the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a schematic, perspective view of a portion of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly of FIG. 4 illustrating guide/power rails for a pig cleaning device in conjunction with the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 5C is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly of FIG. 4 illustrating internal baffles that can be provided in the bypass fluid channel.

FIG. 6 is an environmental, perspective view of an embodiment of a piggable plate heat exchanger assembly having interweaving flow channels, according to the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a bottom view of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly of FIG. 6, according to the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a schematic, perspective view of a portion of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly of FIG. 6 illustrating guide/power rails for a pig cleaning device in conjunction with the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly of FIG. 6, according to the present invention.

Unless otherwise indicated, similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2, an embodiment of a piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 100, as can have generally curved shaped end portions, is illustrated. Piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 100 includes a plate arrangement, as can be integrally fixed or joined, that can include an inner plate member 102 as can have a generally wavy, wave-like or sinusoidal configuration, such as shown in FIGS. 1A and 2, for example. One or more first channel forming members 104, in cooperation with the inner plate member 102, form a first channel 130 for receiving a first fluid F1, and one or more second channel forming members 112, in cooperation with the inner plate member 102, form a second channel 140 for receiving a second fluid F2. Various components of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 100, such as including the inner plate member 102, the one or more first channel forming members 104 and the one or more second channel forming members 112 can include heat exchanging surfaces and/or can include baffles, similar to baffles 341 in FIG. 5C, for example, as can depend on the use or application. Also, about 50% of the plates of the components desirably can be or include heat exchanging surfaces and substantially the remainder of the plates can be or include baffles, for example.

Also, the fluid channels, such as one or more of the first channel 130 and the second channel 140, can have a piggable surface to enable a pig cleaning device, such a suitable conventional pig cleaning device as known in the art, to move through the one or more fluid channels of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 100 in order to clean the interior surfaces of the one or more fluid channels. The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 100 can include a first cover plate 106 a and a second cover plate 106 b. The inner plate member 102, the one or more first channel forming members 104 and the one or more second channel forming members 112 can be respectively fixed or joined to the first cover plate 106 a and the second cover plate 106 b to seal the first channel 130 to flow the first fluid F1 and to seal the second channel 140 to flow the second fluid F2, for example.

Also, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, one or both of the cover plates 106 a and 106 b can include or be associated with one or more rails R1 and R2, as can include a plurality of rails, for guiding and supporting, as can also be adapted to provide power to, one or more cleaning modules, such as pig cleaning devices P1 and P2, to assist in efficiently cleaning the first channel 130 and the second channel 140, for example.

Further, the rails R1 and R2 can also be included in association with the inner plate member 102, or other suitable component of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 100, such as on either side or both sides thereof, to guide the pig cleaning devices P1 and P2 to assist in efficiently cleaning the first channel 130 and the second channel 140, for example, and should not be construed in a limiting sense. Arrows A1 and A2 indicate the path of the pig cleaning devices P1 and P2 in cleaning the first channel 130 and the second channel 140, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2, the inner plate member 102 is configured in a generally wavy pattern positioned in the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 100, and the “dome-like” portions of the inner plate member 102 desirably can include heat exchanging surfaces, for example. The wavy pattern can be further described as generally wave-like, sinusoidal, serpentine or a similar type of configuration, and should not be construed in a limiting sense.

The one or more first channel forming members 104 include a plurality of adjacently positioned first channel forming extension plates 105. The one or more first channel forming members 104 have an open end 107 and a closed end 108 formed in conjunction with a corresponding pair of the first channel forming extension plates 105. The closed end 108 can have a generally domed shaped configuration as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 2, for example, as can form a part of a perimeter surface for the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 100. As shown, the plurality of first channel forming extension plates 105 can be provided in one or more integrally connected corresponding pairs. The closed end 108 integrally connects one or more corresponding pairs of the first channel forming extension plates 105.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 2, and similar to that of the aforementioned one or more first channel forming members 104, the one or more second channel forming members 112 also can include a plurality of adjacently positioned second channel forming extension plates 114. The one or more second channel forming members 112 have an open end 118 and a closed end 120 formed in conjunction with a corresponding pair of the second channel forming extension plates 114. The closed end 120 can have a generally domed shaped configuration as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 2, for example, as can form a part of a perimeter surface for the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of second channel forming extension plates 114 can be provided in one or more integrally connected corresponding pairs. The closed end 120 connects one or more corresponding pairs of the second channel forming extension plates 114.

As illustrated, the plurality of first channel forming extension plates 105 are positioned in a generally alternating opposing relation to the plurality of second channel forming extension plates 114, enclosing the inner plate member 102. As such, the first channel 130 is formed to permit flow of a first fluid F1 therethrough, and the second channel 140 is formed to permit flow of a second fluid F2 therethrough. In this configuration, heat can be transferred between the first fluid F1 and second fluid F2 respectively located or flowing in the first channel 130 and the second channel 140.

Continuing now with reference to FIG. 3, there is shown an embodiment of a piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 200 with a piggable surface to enable a pig cleaning device, such a suitable conventional pig cleaning device as known in the art, to move through the one or more fluid channels of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 200 in order to clean the interior surfaces of the one or more fluid channels. As similarly illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 2, the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 200 includes an inner plate member 202 having a generally wavy configuration, which can be further described as wave-like, serpentine or sinusoidal, for example, and should not be construed in a limiting sense. The “dome-like” portions of the inner plate member 202 desirably can include heat exchanging surfaces, for example. Also shown in FIG. 3, the inner plate member 202 extends throughout an interior of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 200.

The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 200 further includes one or more first channel forming members 204, such as can have a generally flat plate end portion, for example, having a plurality of adjacently positioned first channel forming extension plates 205. The plurality of first channel forming extension plates 205 can be provided in one or more integrally connected corresponding pairs. The one or more first channel forming members 204 have an open end 207 and a closed end 208 formed in conjunction with one or more corresponding pairs of the first channel forming extension plates 205 integrally connected to a corresponding closed end 208. The closed end 208 can have a generally flat shaped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 3, for example, as can form a part of a perimeter surface for the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 200. The one or more first channel forming members 204 can include one or more corresponding pairs of the first channel forming extension plates 205. As shown in FIG. 3, the closed end 208 can have a generally flat plate configuration to facilitate the ease of manufacturing the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 200.

The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 200 further includes one or more second channel forming members 212, such as can have a generally flat plate end portion, having one or more adjacently positioned second channel forming extension plates 214. The plurality of second channel forming extension plates 214 can be provided in one or more integrally connected corresponding pairs. The one or more second channel forming members 212 have an open end 218 and a closed end 220 formed in conjunction with one or more corresponding pairs of the second channel forming extension plates 214 integrally connected to a corresponding closed end 220. The closed end 220 can have a generally flat shaped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 3, for example, as can form a part of a perimeter surface for the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 200. The one or more second channel forming members 212 can include one or more corresponding pairs of the second channel forming extension plates 214. As shown in FIG. 3, the closed end 220 can have a generally flat plate configuration to facilitate the ease of manufacturing the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 200.

Similar to the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 100 of FIGS. 1A and 2, in the embodiment of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 200 of FIG. 3, the plurality of adjacently positioned first channel forming extension plates 205 are positioned in a generally alternating opposing relation to the second channel forming extension plates 214 to enclose the inner plate member 202. As such, a first channel 230 is formed to permit flow of a first fluid F1 therethrough, and a second channel 240 is formed to permit flow of a second fluid F2 therethrough. Also, various components of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 200, such as including the inner plate member 202, the one or more first channel forming members 204 and the one or more second channel forming members 212 can include heat exchanging surfaces and/or can include baffles, as can depend on the use or application. Also, about 50% of the plates of the components desirably can be or include heat exchanging surfaces and substantially the remainder of the plates of the components can be or include baffles, for example.

Home plates or cover plates 206 a and 206 b can be fixed or joined to the top and bottom sides of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 200 to seal the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 200 for fluid flow in the first channel 230 and the second channel 240. Also, similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1B, one or both of the cover plates 206 a and 206 b can include or be associated with one or more rails, such as rails R1 and R2, as can include a plurality of rails, for guiding and supporting, as can also be adapted to provide power to, one or more cleaning modules, such as pig cleaning devices P1 and P2, to assist in efficiently cleaning the first channel 230 and the second channel 240, for example. Also the rails, such as rails R1 and R2, can also be included in association with the inner plate member 202, or other suitable component of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 200, such as on either side or both sides thereof, to guide the pig cleaning devices to assist in efficiently cleaning the first channel 230 and the second channel 240, for example, and should not be construed in a limiting sense.

Continuing now with reference to FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B, there is shown an embodiment of a piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 300. The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 300 generally includes one or more plate members 302 arranged in a generally parallel spaced relation. As shown, the respective plate members 302 have a first end 306 and second end 308. The first ends 306 of the plate members 302 are in opposing relation to the second ends 308 of the plate members 302. The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 300 further includes a plurality of corresponding first end members 304 positioned in conjunction with corresponding plate members 302. Various components of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 300, such as including the one or more plate members 302, can include heat exchanging surfaces, as can depend on the use or application, such as the one or more plate members 302 desirably can be or include heat exchanging surfaces, for example.

As shown, the plurality of first end members 304 are respectively positioned at the first ends 306 of corresponding plate members 302. The plurality of first end members 304 are also respectively positioned at the second ends 308 of corresponding plate members 302. As such, a first channel 330 is formed in the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 300 including the plurality of plate members 302 and the plurality of first end members 304 configured to permit flow of a first fluid F1 therethrough.

Further the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 300 includes a plurality of second end members 310 respectively positioned in conjunction with corresponding plate members 302 at the first ends 306 of corresponding plate members 302 and at the second ends 308 of corresponding plate members 302. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B, the plurality of second end members 310 have a portion 310 e positioned in an interior relation to a corresponding first end member 304 and also have another portion 310 f positioned in an exterior relation to at least one corresponding first end member 304. As such, a plurality of second channels 340 is formed in the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 300 including the plurality of plate members 302 and the plurality of second end members 310 configured to permit flow of a second fluid F2, such as can be a clean fluid. The second channels 340 can also be referred to as second bypass channels 340. The plurality of second end members 310 are connected by a plurality of bypass members 312 in pairs.

The second bypass channels 340 can therefore function as bypass lines to flow a clean fluid, such as the fluid F2, and typically the second bypass channels 340 are not necessarily configured to receive a pig cleaning device, for example, but should not be construed in a limiting sense. Also the plurality of second end members 310 in conjunction with the bypass members 312 included in the corresponding second bypass channels 340, can shift or transfer the fluid flow of the second fluid F2 from one side to the other side of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 300, such as can include non-serial and parallel flow feeds of the second fluid F2 flowing in the second bypass channels 340 from one side with a flow out of the second fluid F2 from the other side, for example.

In an embodiment, the plurality of second end members 310 includes a plurality of closed end members 310 a disposed on one side of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 300 and a plurality of open end members 310 c disposed on the opposite side of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 300. Each closed end member 310 a is desirably configured as a substantially elongate semicylindrical bar having a semicylindrical open section 310 b formed at the top end thereof. The closed end members 310 a are so described because they block passage of the second fluid F2 within the corresponding second bypass channel 340 except through the open section 310 b.

Each open end member 310 c is desirably configured as a substantially elongate semicylindrical tube having a semicylindrical open section 310 d formed at the bottom end thereof. The open end members 310 c are so described because they facilitate passage of fluid through the open end members 310 c and the open section 310 d. A pair of one closed end member 310 a and one open end member 310 c form opposite ends of a respective second bypass channel 340, for example.

By the above construction, the flow path of the second fluid F2 is generally perpendicular to the flow path of the first fluid F1, at least at the plurality of second end members 310. The plurality of second members 310 and the corresponding bypass members 312 form a bypass bridge that allows the second fluid F2 to flow from one second bypass channel 340 to another second bypass channel 340 interposed within the wavy, such as wave-like, sinusoidal or curvilinear, flow path of the first fluid F1 as best seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B. For example, the second fluid F2 can be introduced through the open section 310 d of an open end member 310 c into the corresponding second bypass channel 340 at one end of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 300. As the second fluid F2 fills the second bypass channel 340 from the bottom thereof, the excess fluid flows into the open section 310 b on the opposite closed end member 310 a at the opposite diagonal corner of the second bypass channel 340. The second fluid F2 continues to flow through the coupled bypass member 312 and exits into the adjacent, spaced second bypass channel 340 via the open section 310 b on the closed end member 310 a at one end of the adjacent second bypass channel 340. As the second fluid F2 fills the adjacent second bypass channel 340, the second fluid F2 flows into the open section 310 d on the open end member 310 c at the opposite end of the adjacent bypass channel 340. The second fluid F2 continues to flow through this open end member 310 c to be transferred to the next adjacent second bypass channel 340 via the corresponding bypass member 312 and exits through the open section 310 d on the open end member 310 c at the next adjacent second bypass channel 340. The above flow repeats until the second fluid F2 exits out of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 300.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5A, the pipe bypasses, such as including the plurality of second end members 310, are desirably arranged such that the plurality of second end members 310 are disposed on opposite sides of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 300 in a spaced, alternating relationship. This serves to place the closed end members 310 a on one side of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 300 in communication with one end of the corresponding second bypass channels 340. The plurality of open end members 310 c on the opposite side of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 300 are also in communication with the opposite end of the corresponding second bypass channels 340 except laterally offset with respect to the corresponding closed end members 310 a on the one side of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 300. Thus, as the second fluid F2 flows through one of the closed end members 310 a on one side into the corresponding second bypass channel 340 at one end thereof, the opposite open end member 310 c permits the second fluid F2 to flow from the opposite end of the second bypass channel 340 to the same opposite end of an adjacent, spaced second bypass channel 340, such as through a corresponding bypass member 312.

The flow of the second fluid F2 is desirably from one corner of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 300 to a diagonally opposite corner of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 300, but other flow paths and patterns can be used, depending on the use or application, and should not be construed in a limiting sense. Also, the closed end members 310 a and the open end members 310 c can alternate with each other on a same side of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 300, such as can depend on the use or application, and should not be construed in a limiting sense. Further, a cover arrangement can be positioned on and joined to the top and bottom sides of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 300 to seal the piggable heat exchanger assembly 300 for fluid flow in the first channel 330 and the second bypass channels 340. As best seen in FIG. 5C, the second bypass channels 340 can also be provided with internal baffles 341 as can extend the travel path of the fluid and can thereby improve flow and thermal distribution.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 300 includes a piggable surface to enable a pig cleaning device, such a suitable conventional pig cleaning device as known in the art, to move through one or more fluid channels of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 300 in order to clean the interior surfaces of the one or more fluid channels. However, the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 300 can include a fluid channel, such as the second bypass channels 340, as can include the series of pipe bypasses as can contain a relatively clean fluid, as described. Such clean fluid channel, such as the second bypass channels 340, typically is not necessarily configured to receive, or does not necessarily receive, a piggable cleaning device in that the clean fluid channel including the pipe bypasses contains a clean fluid.

As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the first channel 330, as includes the plate members 302 and the plurality of first end members 304, can include or be associated with one or more rails R3 and R4, as can include a plurality of rails, for guiding and supporting, as can also be adapted to provide power to, one or more cleaning modules, such as one or more pig cleaning devices P3, to assist in efficiently cleaning the first channel 330. The direction of movement of the pig cleaning device P3 through the first channel 330 is indicated by the arrows in FIG. 5B, for example. Also, when a cover arrangement is positioned on and joined to the top and bottom sides of the piggable heat exchanger assembly 300, rails, such as rails R3 and R4, can be respectively positioned on or near top and bottom plates forming the cover arrangement to enable guiding and supporting, as can also be adapted to provide power to, one or more cleaning modules, such as one or more pig cleaning devices P3.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7A, 7B and 8, there is shown an embodiment of a piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 400. The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 400 includes a plurality of plate members 402 arranged in a generally parallel spaced relationship. The plurality of plate members 402 form a portion of a first channel 430 to permit the flow of a first fluid F1 along the first channel 430. Also, the plurality of plate members 402 form a portion of a second channel 440 to permit the flow of a second fluid F2 along the second channel 440.

A plurality of first end members 404 are respectively positioned in conjunction with corresponding plate members 402 at first ends 402 a of corresponding plate members 402 and at second ends 402 b of corresponding plate members 402. The first ends 402 a of the plate members 402 are in opposing relation to the second ends 402 b of the plate members 402. The plurality of first end members 404 have a plurality of first channel first ends 406, such as of a generally dome shaped configuration, and a plurality of second channel first ends 408, such as can be of a generally flat plate configuration, for example. The second channel first ends 408 are positioned adjacent to at least one corresponding first channel first end 406. The first channel first ends 406 form a portion of the first channel 430 and the second channel first ends 408 form a portion of the second channel 440.

The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 400 further includes a plurality of second end members 412, such as can be of a generally dome shaped configuration, for example. The plurality of second end members 412 are respectively positioned at the first ends 402 a of corresponding plate members 402 and at the second ends 402 b of corresponding plate members 402. The plurality of second end members 412 are also positioned in spaced relation within corresponding first channel first ends 406. As such, the plurality of second end members 412 forms a portion of the first channel 430 and a portion of the second channel 440. The first channel 430 therefore includes the plurality of plate members 402, the plurality of first end members 404 and the plurality of second end members 412, for example.

The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 400 further includes a plurality of third end members 414. The plurality of third end members 414 are positioned in conjunction with corresponding plate members 402. The plurality of third end members 414 have a plurality of second channel second ends 416, such as of a generally dome shaped configuration, and a plurality of first channel second ends 418, such as can be of a generally flat plate configuration, for example, positioned adjacent to at least one corresponding second channel second end 416.

The plurality of third end members 414 are respectively positioned at third ends 402 c of corresponding plate members 402 and at fourth ends 402 d of corresponding plate members 402. The third ends 402 c of the plate members 402 are in opposing relation to the fourth ends 402 d of the plate members 402. The second channel second ends 416 form a portion of the second channel 440 and the first channel second ends 418 form a portion of the first channel 430.

The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 400 also includes a plurality of fourth end members 419, such as can be of a generally dome shaped configuration, for example. The plurality of fourth end members 419 are respectively positioned at the third ends 402 c of corresponding plate members 402 and at the fourth ends 402 d of corresponding plate members 402. The plurality of fourth end members 419 are also positioned in spaced relation within corresponding second channel second ends 416 and form a portion of the second channel 440 and form a portion of the first channel 430. The second channel 440 therefore includes the plurality of plate members 402, the plurality of third end members 414 and the plurality of fourth end members 419, for example. Also, the plurality of first end members 404 and the plurality of second end members 412 can be positioned in a generally perpendicular relation to the plurality of third end members 414 and the plurality of fourth end members 419, such as illustrated in FIG. 6, for example.

Further, a cover arrangement, such as a cover 403 illustrated in FIG. 6, can be fixed or joined to corresponding surfaces of the plurality of first end members 404 and plurality of second end members 412 to seal the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 400 for fluid flow in the first channel 430, for example. Also, a cover arrangement, such as similar to the cover 403, can be positioned on and joined to corresponding surfaces of the plurality of third end members 414 and the plurality of fourth end members 419 to seal the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 400 for fluid flow in the second channel 440, for example.

Various components of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 400 can include heat exchanging surfaces, as can depend on the use or application, for example. In view of the two flow pathways in the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 400, it is desirable that all or substantially all of the plate members, such as the plate members 402, of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 400 are or include heat exchanging surfaces. Also, it is desirable that the plate members 402 can have a generally square shape, for example, such as can assist in minimizing a number of parts for the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 400, but the type and shape of the plate members 402 can vary, such as based on the use or application, and should not be construed in a limiting sense.

As described, the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 400 includes two flow pathways as includes the first channel 430 and the second channel 440, respectively, for example. As illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, the flow of the first fluid F1 in the first channel 430 is in a direction substantially normal to the flow of the second fluid F2 in the second channel 440, for example. In the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 400, there is utilized a generally side to side flow for the first fluid F1 in the first channel 430, with gaps provided for the second channel 440, to provide for a generally up and down orthogonal flow relative to the flow in the first channel 430 for the second fluid F2 in the second channel 440.

In this regard, the first channel 430 and the second channel 440 can be in a generally interweaved relation with respect to each other, such as generally sinusoidal, orthogonally interweaved paths, as illustrated in FIG. 6, for example. Also, by using such generally interweaved relation of the first channel 430 and the second channel 440, there are typically not needed support plates to support the various components of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 400. However, it can be desirable to use the corners of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 400 to position support rods or support columns, such as for a generally square or rectangular piggable plate heat exchanger assembly arrangement having four corners using four support rods or four columns, to attach or fix the various components of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 400 forming the first channel 430 and the second channel 440 in a generally interweaved relation, for example.

As evident from the above description and illustration in FIGS. 6-8 of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 400, the first channel 430 and the second channel 440 are formed generally of four sides. In this regard, the first channel 430 can be formed to provide a fluid path for the first fluid F1 between two plate members 402 with the top and bottom sides of the first channel 430 blocked or confined by a “blank” type first channel second end 418 (“Blank”) and blocked by a second end member 412 (“Dome”), as can be of a generally “dome” shape, with the other two sides of the first channel 430 as “Flow-in” and “Flow-out” for the first fluid F1, for example.

Also, the second channel 440 can be formed to provide a fluid path for the second fluid F2 between two plate members 402 with two sides blocked by a “blank” type second channel first end 408 (“Blank”) and blocked by a fourth end member 419 (“Dome”), as can be of a generally dome shape, with the other two sides of the second channel 440 as “Flow-in” and “Flow-out” for the second fluid F2, for example.

An example of a schematic illustration of a fluid flow path in the first channel 430 and a fluid flow path in the second channel 440 in the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 400 is provided in Table 1 below. In Table 1 the reference to “Flow-in”, “Flow-out”, “Dome” and “Blank” are as indicated above and are examples of at least part of the sides and corresponding components as can form the flow path for the first channel 430 and the flow path for the second channel 440, and should not be construed in a limiting sense. As indicated from the above description and from Table 1, one type of fluid, such as the first fluid F1 flowing in the first channel 430, is moving side to side, such as from right and left, for example, and the other type of fluid, such as the second fluid F2 flowing in the second channel 440, is moving in a generally up and down orthogonal flow relative to the flow in the first channel 430, such as desirably at the same time, or at a different time, from the first fluid F1.

TABLE 1 Exemplary Flow Path: Two Way Piggable Plate Heat Exchanger Assembly Flow Direction: (Channel) Channel Flow Path Left Flow- Dome Flow- Blank Flow- Dome Flow- Blank Flow- Flow: out In Out in out (First Channel 430) Up Flow: Dome Flow- Blank Flow- Dome Flow- Blank Flow- Dome (Second In out In out Channel 440) Right Flow- Blank Flow- Dome Flow- Blank Flow- Dome Flow- Flow: In out In out In (First Channel 430) Down Blank Flow- Dome Flow- Blank Flow- Dome Flow- Blank Flow: out In out In (Second Channel 440)

The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 400 includes a piggable surface to enable a pig cleaning device, such a suitable conventional pig cleaning device as known in the art, to move through one or more fluid channels of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 400 in order to clean the interior surfaces of the one or more fluid channels. In this regard, the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 400 can be desirable in that there are two flow pathways, such as the first channel 430 and the second channel 440, as can support a plurality of pig cleaning devices, as can enhance efficient cleaning of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 400. For example, one pig cleaning device can travel generally horizontally through the first channel 430 and another pig cleaning device can travel generally vertically through the second channel 440, such as at the same time or at different times, for example.

As illustrated in FIG. 7B, the plurality of plate members 402, the plurality of first end members 404 and the plurality of second end members 412 associated with the first channel 430 can include or be associated with one or more rails R5 and R6, as can include a plurality of rails, for guiding and supporting, as can also be adapted to provide power to, one or more cleaning modules, such as one or more pig cleaning devices P5, to assist in efficiently cleaning the first channel 430, for example.

Also, the plurality of plate members 402, the plurality of third end members 414 and the plurality of fourth end members 419 associated with the second channel 440 can include or be associated with one or more rails R7 and R8, as can include a plurality of rails, for guiding and supporting, as can also be adapted to provide power to, one or more cleaning modules, such as one or more pig cleaning devices P6, to assist in efficiently cleaning the second channel 440, for example. The rails R5-R8 can also be included in association with other suitable components of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly 400, to guide the pig cleaning devices P5 and P6 to assist in efficiently cleaning the first channel 430 and the second channel 440, for example, and should not be construed in a limiting sense.

As described, embodiments of piggable plate heat exchanger assemblies, such as piggable plate heat exchanger assemblies 100, 200, 300 and 400, are configured to permit piggable cleaning of interior surfaces of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly. In this regard, embodiments of piggable plate heat exchanger assemblies can allow passage of various types of cleaning modules, such as various type of pig cleaning devices, through one or more fluid passages in the piggable plate heat exchanger assemblies to enhance efficiency in cleaning the heat exchanging surfaces to assist in maintaining the heat exchanging surfaces in a relatively optimal condition. For example, the piggable heat exchanger assembly 300 can be provided with a selectively operable pig cleaning device within the second fluid channel 340 if desired or required by the user, at least for the elongate sections of the second fluid channel 340.

Various types of cleaning modules, such as pig cleaning devices, can be utilized to perform cleaning one or more fluid pathways in one or more channels in embodiments of a piggable plate heat exchanger assembly, such as piggable plate heat exchanger assemblies 100, 200, 300 and 400. For example, cleaning modules, such as pig cleaning devices, using mechanical brushing or rotating brushing can be used, as well as various types of ultrasonic cleaning modules, such as ultrasonic type pig cleaning devices, can also be used, for example. In this regard, ultrasonic cleaning modules, such as ultrasonic type pig cleaning devices, can utilize piezoelectric type elements, as can be temperature limited or can be focused or unfocused types of cleaning elements, for example. Also, the motion of the cleaning modules, such as pig cleaning devices, through the one or more channels of the piggable plate heat exchanger assemblies can be on one or more fixed rails, such as described, or can also be provided by use with or as a part of a stepping robotic unit, for example.

Also, various devices and power sources can be utilized to power the cleaning modules, such as pig cleaning devices, to perform cleaning of the piggable plate heat exchanger assemblies, such as piggable plate heat exchanger assemblies 100, 200, 300 and 400. For example, a battery that can store and provide power to the cleaning modules, such as pig cleaning devices, can be used to power the operation of the cleaning modules, such as pig cleaning devices. Power for charging a power source, such as a battery, for operation of a cleaning module, such as a pig cleaning device, can be generated by fluid flow through an electric generator to generate power, such as by flowing through an electric generator one or more fluids that flow through one or more corresponding channels of a piggable plate heat exchanger assembly, for example.

Further, power for operation of the cleaning modules, such as pig cleaning devices, to clean the piggable plate heat exchanger assemblies can be provided by electrified rails that typically are insulated from the body of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly to provide power to a motor to provide a motive force to move the cleaning modules, such as pig cleaning devices, such as in the one or more channels of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly. Power for operation of the cleaning modules, such as pig cleaning devices, can further be provided by charging a power source for operation of the cleaning modules, such as pig cleaning devices, by a non-contact charging method, such as can be done by varying a magnetic field to generate electrical power, as can be applied in various charging spots or locations, such as can be located in one or more channels of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly, for example. Also, power for operation of the cleaning modules, such as pig cleaning devices, can be provided by any of various suitable power sources, such as by a combination of two or more of the above power sources of a battery, non-contact charging spots or rail electrification, for example, and should not be construed in a limiting sense.

Also, various suitable materials can be used to form embodiments of the piggable plate heat exchanger assemblies, such as piggable plate heat exchanger assemblies 100, 200, 300 and 400. Such suitable materials can include, for example, one or more of copper, aluminum, carbon steel, stainless steel, nickel alloys, and titanium, and combinations thereof, and should not be construed in a limiting sense.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. A piggable plate heat exchanger assembly, comprising: an inner plate member having a generally wavy configuration; at least one first channel forming member having a plurality of adjacently positioned first channel forming extension plates, the at least one first channel forming member having an open end and a closed end formed in conjunction with a corresponding pair of the first channel forming extension plates, the closed end connecting the corresponding pair of the first channel forming extension plates; and at least one second channel forming member having a plurality of adjacently positioned second channel forming extension plates, the at least one second channel forming member having an open end and a closed end formed in conjunction with a corresponding pair of the second channel forming extension plates, the closed end connecting the corresponding pair of the second channel forming extension plates, wherein the plurality of first channel forming extension plates are respectively positioned in alternating opposing relation to the plurality of second channel forming extension plates to enclose the inner plate member to form a first channel to flow a first fluid and a second channel to flow a second fluid in the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly.
 2. The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner plate member and the at least one first channel forming member comprise the first channel and the inner plate member and the at least one second channel forming member comprise the second channel.
 3. The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one first channel forming member has a closed end having a generally dome configuration and the at least one second channel forming member has a closed end having a generally dome configuration.
 4. The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one first channel forming member has a closed end having a generally flat configuration, and the at least one second channel forming member has a closed end having a generally flat configuration.
 5. The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one first channel forming member has a closed end having a generally dome configuration and the at least one second channel forming member has a closed end having a generally dome configuration.
 6. The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one first channel forming member has a closed end having a generally flat configuration, and the at least one second channel forming member has a closed end having a generally flat configuration.
 7. The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner plate member, the at least one first channel forming member and the at least one second channel forming member are respectively joined to a first cover plate and a second cover plate to seal the first channel to flow the first fluid and to seal the second channel to flow the second fluid.
 8. The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly of claim 7, wherein at least one rail is operatively connected to at least one of the first cover plate or the second cover plate to facilitate movement of a pig cleaning device through the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly.
 9. The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first channel or the second channel is adapted to receive a pig cleaning device for selective cleaning of the corresponding at least one of the first channel or the second channel.
 10. A piggable plate heat exchanger assembly, comprising: a plurality of plate members arranged in a generally parallel spaced relation; a plurality of first end members respectively positioned in conjunction with corresponding plate members at first ends of corresponding plate members and at second ends of corresponding plate members to form a first channel in the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly including the plurality of plate members and the plurality of first end members to flow in the first channel a first fluid, the first ends of the plate members being in opposing relation to the second ends of the plate members; and a plurality of second end members respectively positioned in conjunction with corresponding plate members at the first ends of corresponding plate members and at the second ends of corresponding plate members, the plurality of second end members having a portion positioned in an interior relation to a corresponding first end member and another portion positioned in an exterior relation to at least one corresponding first end member to form a plurality of second bypass channels in the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly including the plurality of plate members and the plurality of second end members to flow in the plurality of second bypass channels a second fluid.
 11. The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly of claim 10, wherein the plurality of second end members further comprises a plurality of bypass members respectively coupled to adjacent second bypass channels to facilitate transfer of the second fluid from one second bypass channel to another second bypass channel.
 12. The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly of claim 10, wherein at least the first channel is in conjunction with at least one rail to facilitate movement of a pig cleaning device through at least the first channel of the piggable plate heat exchanger assembly.
 13. A piggable plate heat exchanger assembly, comprising: a plurality of plate members arranged in a generally parallel spaced relation, the plurality of plate members forming a portion of a first channel to flow a first fluid and a portion of a second channel to flow a second fluid; a plurality of first end members respectively positioned in conjunction with corresponding plate members at first ends of corresponding plate members and at second ends of corresponding plate members, the first ends of the plate members being in opposing relation to the second ends of the plate members, the plurality of first end members having a plurality of first channel first ends and a plurality of second channel first ends positioned adjacent to at least one corresponding first channel first end, the first channel first ends forming a portion of the first channel and the second channel first ends forming a portion of the second channel; a plurality of second end members respectively positioned at the first ends of corresponding plate members and at the second ends of corresponding plate members, the plurality of second end members being respectively positioned in spaced relation within corresponding first channel first ends and forming a portion of the first channel and a portion of the second channel, the first channel comprising the plurality of plate members, the plurality of first end members and the plurality of second end members; a plurality of third end members respectively positioned in conjunction with corresponding plate members at third ends of corresponding plate members and at fourth ends of corresponding plate members, the third ends of the plate members being in opposing relation to the fourth ends of the plate members, the plurality of third end members having a plurality of second channel second ends and a plurality of first channel second ends positioned adjacent to at least one second channel second end, the second channel second ends forming a portion of the second channel and the first channel second ends forming a portion of the first channel; and a plurality of fourth end members respectively positioned at the third ends of corresponding plate members and at the fourth ends of corresponding plate members, the plurality of fourth end members being respectively positioned in spaced relation within corresponding second channel second ends and forming a portion of the second channel and a portion of the first channel, the second channel comprising the plurality of plate members, the plurality of third end members and the plurality of fourth end members.
 14. The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly of claim 13, wherein the plurality of first end members and the plurality of second end members are positioned in a generally perpendicular relation to the plurality of third end members and the plurality of fourth end members.
 15. The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly of claim 14, wherein the flow of the first fluid in the first channel is in a direction substantially normal to the flow of the second fluid in the second channel.
 16. The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly of claim 13, wherein the flow of the first fluid in the first channel is in a direction substantially normal to the flow of the second fluid in the second channel.
 17. The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first channel or the second channel is in conjunction with at least one rail to facilitate movement of at least one pig cleaning device through at least one of the first channel or the second channel.
 18. The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly of claim 13, wherein the first channel and the second channel are arranged in a generally interweaving relation to each other.
 19. The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first channel or the second channel is adapted to receive a pig cleaning device for selective cleaning of the corresponding at least one of the first channel or the second channel.
 20. The piggable plate heat exchanger assembly of claim 13, wherein the first channel and the second channel are each adapted to receive a corresponding pig cleaning device, and one pig cleaning device can travel generally horizontally through the first channel and another pig cleaning device can travel generally vertically through the second channel. 